Sister Anne Martin Reinert

BORN: Seguin, Kan.RECEIVED: March 19, 1951CURRENT HOME: ConcordiaEDUCATION: Nursing certification, Kansas Alcoholism Counselors AssociationMINISTRIES:1952-83: Nurse in hospitals in Manhattan, Kan., El Paso, Texas, and Concordia1985-2002: Nurse in Junction City, Kan., at St. Clare House for Women and Children and at the hospital2002-06: Nurse at Motherhouse in Concordia2008-present: Community life coordinator for sisters living at Mt. Joseph Senior Village.

Sister Anne Martin Reinert steadies Sister Agnes Dreher as they begin a walk at Mount Joseph Senior Village one afternoon in December.

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I am constantly molded and remolded in my efforts to grow as a woman in a religious community that strives to love God and neighbor.

Maxim 27 seems to mirror my writing: “Seek out the interior and hidden life of Jesus in so far as the activities of zeal allow…”

I was encouraged early in life to go into nursing. After entering the Sisters of St. Joseph, I did general floor nursing in a small hospital, so I had my community of sisters living in or near the hospital.

I had much to learn, and my education came from the newborn who could not wait but was thrust forth from the womb into my arms, the toddler who could bring me to tears over a dose of medicine and the elderly man who could drive me to frustration one moment and to a celebration of joy the next.

Then there was a change of mission and I left the beautiful green Flint Hills of Manhattan, Kan., for a long train ride to the desert of El Paso, Texas. Then another move, back to Concordia and to general floor nursing.

My heart strings stretched with the introduction of a chemical dependency unit. Each success was celebrated with the pride of motherhood, as we shared spiritual growth through Bill W. and AA and Alanon support.

Again I celebrated the cherished moments those we served had to offer. There is wisdom in suffering souls.

Now as I am slowing down, I serve as “community life coordinator at Mt. Joseph” to our sisters who live there. Or, more likely, it is my showing up that allows our dear sisters to reach out in service to me.

Sister Anne Martin Reinert steadies Sister Agnes Dreher as they begin a walk at Mount Joseph Senior Village one afternoon in December.